Manila: Malaca±ang on Wednesday stated that responding to Vice President Sara Duterte's recent criticisms of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would be a 'waste of time,' asserting that her allegations against the administration lack any factual basis.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro criticized Duterte for admitting she did not listen to the President's fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on Monday. Castro emphasized that the SONA is a constitutional duty wherein the President reports on the administration's accomplishments and outlines future plans for the country. She further noted that failing to respect the SONA also equates to failing to respect the Constitution and the country's institutions.
Castro questioned the implications of remaining uninformed about the nation's status and the President's programs, suggesting that such ignorance renders individuals susceptible to manipulation. She urged the public to remain discerning and to seek the truth, warning that people who lack information are easier to manipulate.
Addressing Duterte's remarks about the administration's fulfillment of campaign promises, including the PHP20-per-kilo rice initiative, Castro refuted the claims as lies, highlighting that subsidized rice is already available through Kadiwa centers, benefiting many Filipinos.
Castro also dismissed Duterte's assertion that Marcos did not fulfill a personal promise regarding the use of the presidential helicopter for personal travel. Additionally, she brushed aside Duterte's allegations of the administration's drift towards dictatorship and her concerns about the certainty of the 2028 national elections, labeling them all as a 'waste of time' to address.
Furthermore, Castro countered Duterte's claim about incidents of school violence reflecting weak leadership, emphasizing that the government and the Philippine National Police had responded swiftly to recent incidents and continue to take necessary steps to address them. Castro reiterated the importance of understanding the President's programs to remain informed and not be blinded to the truth.
